The legacy of Kobe Bryant, one of the greatest basketball players ever, continues to grow even years after his passing.
The basketball icon is set to receive a new honor that will etch his name in history forever and put him in the ranks of the most impactful Americans.
Kobe Bryant To Be Honored With a Statue at the National Garden of American Heroes
President Donald Trump made a huge announcement on February 20 that Bryant will be honored with a statue at the National Garden of American Heroes. The late Los Angeles Lakers superstar became the first basketball player to have this honor.
“Under the executive order I signed last month, this new beautiful outdoor statue park. It’s going to be a statue park; it’s going to be unbelievable. We’re picking the final sites now; it’s between various states that want it very badly,” said Trump in a press conference.
BREAKING: President Trump has announced that a statue of Kobe Bryant will be placed in the National Garden of American Heroes
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) February 20, 2025
President Trump signed an executive order on Jan. 29 for plans to build the National Garden of American Heroes. The project aimed to create a grand outdoor park featuring statues of influential American figures from various fields, including sports, politics, music, and civil rights.
“We’ll honor hundreds of our greatest Americans who ever lived, including countless Black American icons. The garden will predominantly feature incredible women like Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Billie Holiday, Aretha Franklin, and Coretta Scott King.
“We’re going to produce some of the most beautiful works of art in the form of a statue for men like Frederick Douglass, Booker T. Washington, Jackie Robinson, Martin Luther King Jr., Muhammad Ali, who’s not a bad athlete, and the late Kobe Bryant! People love Kobe Bryant.”
Bryant, who tragically passed away in a helicopter crash in 2020, left behind a legacy that extends far beyond the court. The five-time NBA champion, two-time NBA Finals MVP, and four-time NBA All-Star Game MVP spent his entire 20-year-long career with the Los Angeles Lakers, scaling the heights of greatness.
Off the court, Bryant made a huge impact through charitable work. He granted over 200 wishes through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Along with his wife Vanessa, Bryant launched the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation to support underprivileged youth and homeless families in Los Angeles.
The foundation has contributed to causes like Kids in Sports Los Angeles with a $20,000 donation and COACH for Kids and Their Families with a $75,000 grant to help provide screenings and services to underserved neighborhoods in L.A.
Another Statue To Honor the Mamba
The 18-time NBA All-Star has been honored with statues before. In August 2024, the Lakers unveiled a statue of Kobe and his daughter Gianna outside Crypto.com Arena, depicting them sitting courtside at a game in 2019. Additionally, the Lakers unveiled another statue at Star Plaza, making Bryant the seventh Laker to receive such an honor.
Now, with the announcement of a statue in the National Garden of American Heroes, Bryant’s legacy is being celebrated on an even larger scale. It recognizes his impact on American sports and culture as a whole and cements his reputation as an all-time great.
